After he won the election Mr Trump, who is estimated to be worth about $3 billion, said he would follow the example of other wealthy presidents such as John F Kennedy who gave away their federal income.

But as he entered his second month at the White House questions began swirling about whether he had made good on his promise.

White House press secretary Sean Spicer - Credit: Andrew Harnik

When Sean Spicer, his spokesman, was asked about the issue during his regular briefing on Monday he had an answer ready to turn things back on the questioner.

“The president’s intention right now is to donate his salary at the end of the year, and he has kindly asked that you all help determine where that goes. The way that we can avoid scrutiny is to let the press corps determine where it should go,” he said to laughter.

The Washington Post has been dutifully documenting Mr Trump’s charitable contributions and found something of a gap between the grand promises and the rather more modest payments.

Mr Spicer continued: “In all seriousness, I think his view is he made a pledge to the American people he wants to donate it to charity and he'd love your help to determine where it should go.”

The suggestions arrived immediately and included efforts to protect journalism from the onslaught of fake news.

One reporter shouted that the White House press corps itself should use the money to fund a journalism scholarship.

Others later suggested The Committee to Protect Journalists, which campaigns around the world for freedom of the press and has been critical of Mr Trump’s aggressive attitude towards the mainstream media.